No matter what type of golf books you’re into, there’s something out there for you.
My goal with this post was to create a list of the very best golf books out there, so regardless of what type of golf book you’re looking for, you’ll see something that’s interesting.
I’ll continue to update this as I read more, and get more recommendations from readers! Do you have a favorite? Drop a comment and let me know!
Best Quest: Playing from the Rough
As someone who has his own quest to visit the top 100 golf courses (and top 100 bars), I appreciate a good quest.
And Jimmie James accomplished one of the most impressive I’ve seen: playing the top 100 golf courses in America in one year.
But while that might be the hook that gets you in, it’s the stories about his upbringing how he overcame some massive obstacles in life that really make this book worth reading.
A well written and inspiring story about one man's quest to play the top 100 golf courses in America in 365 days.
Best Golf Instruction Book: Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book
I don’t know if this is the best-selling golf book of all time, but if it were? I wouldn’t be surprised.
Harvey Penick’s Little Red book is hands down one of the most accessible, and useful golf instruction books ever written.
Has anyone ever told you to “take dead aim?” If so, you can thank Harvey for that one.
This is the best selling golf instruction book of all time. It should be on every golfer's shelf.
Best Golf Architecture Book: Anatomy of a Golf Course
Through my top 100 travels, I’ve seen some of the very best golf courses in the world. And with the more courses I see, the more compelled I am to want to study what makes them so great.
I think Tom Doak’s Anatomy of a Golf Course is the best starting point for someone who wants to learn more about golf course architecture and the design process. It’s easy to read, enjoyable, and when you get to see him break down a hole that you’ve played before? It makes you want to play even more.
If there's one golf architecture book you should buy, this is it. Great information for both beginning and advanced students of the game.
Best PGA Tour Book: Slaying the Tiger
There have been quite a few books written about the PGA Tour, but I enjoyed this one the most.
Why?
It talks in-depth about the young new stars on the tour (well, not so young now), so pretty much regardless of who your favorite (or least favorite) is, they will be discussed in the book.
It’s also a no-holds-barred approach, where Shane Ryan is willing to be blunt and tell it like it is based on his experience traveling and reporting on the 2014 PGA Tour.
The "Tour" may have changed since this came out, but hearing the history of some of the world's best players is no less interesting.
Alan Shipnuck can be a polarizing golf writer. And writing an unauthorized bio on Phil Mickelson? That’s about as tricky a character to write about as you’ll find, short of Tiger Woods.
But not only did Alan write an entertaining book, I found it to be very fair and balanced in telling the story of one of the most famous golfers of all time.
A very honest look at the man that Phil Mickelson is. I really enjoyed this, and found it to be a well-rounded take. Highly recommend.
Most Timely: LIV and Let Die
I tried not to include multiple books by the same author, but having just finished Liv and Let Die, I couldn’t leave it off.
If you’ve been confused about how the whole LIV vs. PGA Tour battle came to be, and don’t fully understand the ins and outs of the history between the tours (and those involved), this book will tell you everything you need to know.
When it comes to the current state of the Tour(s), this is a must read.
Are you also confused as to how the PGA Tour has (de)evolved over the last few years? This book gives insight into all the backstory between LIV and the PGA.